Green Tea And Kidney Stones (Everything You Need To Know)

I was very wrong in my thinking about green tea and kidney stones.

Ever since I witnessed my roommate in college suffer miserably from kidney stones, I’ve been scared of getting them myself.

And I remember reading an article many years ago that claimed tea can cause kidney stones.

I drink a lot of tea, so that article caused me much worry.

Until I learned the truth.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the green tea kidney stone connection. You may come to realize you had it all wrong too, just like I did.

 

Does Green Tea Cause Kidney Stones?

Green tea does not appear to cause kidney stones and may actually help to prevent them. Some experts believe that the polyphenols and flavonoids in green tea can dissolve kidney stones and help them pass out easily.

Research suggests that green tea has an inhibitory effect on urinary stone formation, and that the antioxidative action of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, is involved in this protective effect.

Furthermore, green tea intake has been associated with a lower risk of incident kidney stones, particularly among men, according to some studies.

It’s important to note that while green tea contains oxalates, which can contribute to stone formation in high amounts, the overall effect of green tea consumption seems to be beneficial rather than harmful in the context of kidney stone risk.

 

Does Green Tea Inhibit Urinary Stones?

Some in vitro studies have shown that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main constituent of green tea polyphenols, could inhibit the formation of urinary stones. Even the American Journal of Urology has published this study in their official journal.

Urinary stones occur due to the calcification of oxalate compounds, resulting in hard masses or crystals in the urinary tract. Symptoms of urinary stones include abdominal pain, difficulty in urinating, interruption in the urine stream, etc.

Green tea contains almost 13% catechins which provide antioxidant effects. These eliminate inflammation and may even have an inhibitory effect on urinary stone formation.

Regular intake of green tea or green tea extracts can facilitate urinary oxalate excretion and prevent the formation of calcium oxalate deposits. This could be beneficial for people susceptible to urinary stones.

 

Does Green Tea Clean The Kidneys?

Some experts believe that the catechins in green tea have an antioxidant effect that decreases inflammation and also cleanses the kidneys. Green tea is also a natural detoxifier. It helps chelate toxins from the organs, including the kidneys.

Experts recommend having 3 to 6 cups of green tea (in addition to a healthy diet) to get the detox benefits of green tea. Proponents of the green tea detox claim having more energy, enhanced metabolism, and boosted immunity.

Studies have also shown green tea to be beneficial for people with chronic urinary stones and kidney stone issues. The EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) in green tea could benefit people with kidney disease although more studies are needed to establish this for sure.

 

Can I Drink Green Tea If I Have Kidney Stones?

Yes, at least two in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that green tea’s antioxidant action could inhibit kidney stone formation. It is certainly one of the safer drinks for people susceptible to kidney stones.

As always, moderation is the key. It is best to limit your intake of green tea to 2 to 3 cups per day. If in doubt, please consult your physician.

 

Is Green Tea High In Oxalates?

There are reports that black tea consumed without milk can increase calcium oxalate and result in kidney stones.

The good news is that the same study has found that green tea and oolong tea supply much lower oxalate levels ranging from 0.3 to 1.7 mg of oxalate per cup of tea. A cup of black tea gives you around 12.21 mg of oxalate.

Therefore, people with kidney stone issues can safely drink one to two cups of green tea per day, without increasing their risk of calcium oxalate stone formation.

 

How Can You Reduce The Oxalates In Green Tea?

Green tea and oolong teas already have a low oxalate content, especially when compared to black tea. There is generally not much need to reduce the oxalate content.

But if you want to, you could further reduce the oxalates in green tea by adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to it. Lemon juice contains citrates which are also naturally present in the urine. Citrates are natural inhibitors of urinary stones.

Some in-vitro studies have shown that 4 ounces of lemon juice taken daily significantly increases the citrate levels in urine. This helps in two ways:

• It prevents new urinary stones from forming. Lemon juice acts as a diuretic and increases urination. The more urine you pass, the better it is for also eliminating the smaller stones before they become harder masses.
• Lemon juice also has anti-inflammatory effects. This can prevent the pain caused by existing kidney stones.

 

What Tea Is Bad For Kidney Stones?

The following teas are bad for people suffering from kidney stones:

 

Black Tea

As stated above, black tea is one of the worst teas for kidney stones, since it contains a lot of oxalates. Oxalates bind with calcium in the blood to form hard masses or crystals. These crystals accumulate in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones.

The amount of oxalates in one cup of black tea can vary. On average, a single cup of black tea contains nearly 10 to 15 mg of oxalates.

If you suffer from kidney stones, you might want to limit your consumption of black tea. You could also consider adding milk to your black tea, since this helps reduce the oxalate to calcium ratio. The higher calcium levels supplied by the milk help with the excretion of oxalates from the urinary tract.

 

Iced Tea

We all love sipping on iced tea as the weather turns warmer. However, a recent study by urologist Dr. John Milner has shown that iced tea is one of the worst beverages to drink for people with kidney stones.

This is because people sweat a lot in the summer months resulting in dehydration. Dehydration is also one of the risk factors for kidney stones.

When people drink iced tea (because it tastes better and is also low in calories), they quickly bring down their core temperature. This results in further dehydration, since they don’t need to drink more water. This, in turn, can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

Dr. Milner cautions people to drink iced tea in moderation in summer, especially if they are at a risk of kidney stones.

 

What Is The Best Drink For Kidney Stones?

Water is the best drink for kidney stones. It will help you stay hydrated and it also acts as a diuretic. This helps you urinate more and flush out toxins, to inhibit the formation of more stones.

You can also add some lemon juice to your drinking water. As stated above, lemon juice increases the citrate levels in your urine. Citrates flush out existing stones. Furthermore, lemon juice contains citric acid which can also prevent kidney stone formation.

You can also drink calcium-rich beverages like milk and buttermilk to increase your dietary calcium. Calcium binds with the oxalates and flushes them out. This too can inhibit kidney stone formation.

 

Green Tea Kidney Stones: Final Thoughts

Green tea is not only safe to consume for people with concerns about kidney stones, but it may actually offer protective benefits against stone formation.

The presence of catechins and the powerful antioxidant EGCG in green tea can potentially reduce inflammation and lower the risk of stone formation. Although green tea contains oxalates, which are associated with kidney stone risk, the levels are relatively low, especially when compared to black tea.

The overall consensus from research and expert opinions suggests that moderate consumption of green tea can be a beneficial addition to the diet of those who are prone to kidney stones, or those looking to support their kidney health.

Of course, it’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice. But generally, incorporating a few cups of green tea daily, possibly with a squeeze of lemon juice to further reduce oxalate content, could be a wise choice for both prevention of kidney stones and maintenance of kidney health.